Calf shipments were 12 per cent higher, although a small contraction was recorded for weanlings.

UK shipments lifted 11 per cent overall, with 61 per cent more cattle going to Great Britain.

Shipments lifted to Italy, up 15 per cent, and Spain, up 20 per cent, despite economic turmoil and cautious demand. Bord Bia analysts assigned the increase to confidence in the intensive feedlot sectors as feed costs lowered.

Further afield, larger quantities reached Morocco, Libya and Tunisia on the back of stronger weanling and store demand.

Summarising Ireland’s outlook for 2015, Bord Bia said: “The overall outlook is positive, with demand for livestock forecast to be good, particularly in countries with veal markets, traditional markets such as Spain, and non EU markets.”